Leader's Message
Colour Explosion
After much planning, weather watching, setting up and packing up, we were able to have our whole school participate in the long awaited Colour Explosion! It was a wonderful celebration of fun and colour, just what we needed after another interrupted year of community engagement. While we are sad that families couldn’t join us, our students, staff and P&F had a wonderful time, as you will see from our photo gallery.
Once again, I would like to acknowledge and thank our core P&F committee, who have continued to aim towards this lovely event, even when it seemed it was going to be too hard! Thank you Laura Bell, Melinda Robinson, Stephen Zerafa and Rebecca Newton for the organisation, set up and pack up before, during and after the event. Thank you also to Darren Gray for his work in the treasury for providing this free fun event for our students. I also would like to acknowledge the wonderful work behind the scenes of Aunty Heather, who ensures that P&F events and communication always reaches our parents.
We look forward to doing this again in 2022!
Special Awards
As part of our Thanksgiving Prayer Service, we recognised the achievements of those in our school through the first annual Mrs Saunders Star of the Year Award. We congratulate these students on being voted by their teachers and peers to show the qualities that were important to Mrs Saunders and to all of us at school today:
|
Kindergarten |
Ivy Cutler |
Emmeline Toole |
|
Year 1 |
Hannah Cooper |
Yzekiel Nieva |
|
Year 2 |
Cailin Daley |
Taylor Ashcroft |
|
Year 3 |
Hannah Tony |
Marielle Obeid |
|
Year 4 |
Charli Hoitink |
Violet Richardson |
|
Year 5 |
Isabelle Moane |
Jaskaran Saini |
|
Year 6 |
Matilda Kos |
Jack Cremins |
We are also pleased to announce at our service, the result of an initiative led by Mr Mark Spence, well known for his success with the St Agnes' Parish Drumline. Mark has been working with students in our school to learn drumming during 2021, as part of our Band Program. He has generously offered the gift of a scholarship to one of our students, to encourage the uptake of drums and percussion among girls. One of the most well known drummers to our children is Emma Watkins (aka: the Yellow Wiggle). This scholarship is for one year of free private drum tuition (which is vital for a student truly excelling in drumming and music). We are delighted to announce that the student who received this first award is Bronte Gawith (5L), who has already shown talent and promise.
Celebrating Our Faith
Christmas Mass Times
School Prayer
During the past two weeks, we have gathered to pray together outside, lighting a candle for the weeks of Advent, as we do in the Church. See if your child can tell you about the four coloured candles (and the white one) and what they mean….Hint: check last week’s newsletter…..
Thanksgiving Prayer Service
In Catholic tradition, one of the beautiful representations of our faith is in not just asking for God to be with us and answer our needs, but to give thanks and praise him for the goodness that comes to us.
While we have asked a lot of things of God this year, particularly considering the circumstances of our world and our desire for the uncertainty and fear to go away, we also can recognise the good that has been part of our lives.
On Wednesday, the students of our school gathered together to give thanks for the year that we have experienced. We are thankful for our parents and carers who support us, staff who help us learn and grow, friends and peers who work and play alongside us, a safe environment where we can largely go about our day in peace.
Learning Together
Water Safety Over The Holidays
As you plan your holiday adventures remember to keep water safety at the forefront of your mind. It is always a lovely time of year to enjoy the beach and pools together as a family. Here are just a few tips to assist over the holiday break:-
- CEO Supervision (Constant Eyes On) - Never turn your back on your child around water. It takes just seconds for him/her to be in serious trouble. Segment the supervision responsibilities so there are never questions about which adult is responsible for watching the child and be aware of the distractions unique to the summer months.
Never swim alone - it is important to always swim with another person.- If you are swimming in the ocean check for currents or rips.
- Enter the water slowly and feet first.
- Swim between the red and yellow flags at the beach.
- Check the depth of the water and look for submerged objects in inland waterways.
- Check the conditions.
- Self-rescue Skills - Teach young children self-rescue skills.
Please visit the Swim Australia site for more information.
https://swimsafer.org.au/parents-resources/
